A ballast water treatment system is a major investment, HEDP
but also one that is crucial for vessel operations. If the system is
unable to comply as planned, the vessel’s ability to do business will be
crippled. This has led some ship owners to replace their existing
choice of UV ballast water treatment system with another UV technology:
Alfa Laval PureBallast 3.
“We increasingly see owners with second thoughts about other UV
solutions, even after those systems have been ordered,” says Anders
Lindmark, Head of Alfa Laval PureBallast. “Customers want the peace of
mind that PureBallast 3 offers, especially if they sail in United States
waters.”
Systems on four vessels changed to PureBallast 3
Recently, two cruise ship owners took steps to exchange their
procured UV ballast water treatment systems for PureBallast 3, which is
type approved by both IMO and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). In both
cases, the original system’s lack of USCG type approval was a decisive
factor.
In an order for two newbuild vessels, MSC Cruises switched to
PureBallast 3 Compact systems, which are delivered ready-assembled as
skid-mounted modules. Each system will handle a flow of 170 m3/h. “After
a retrofit project and installation on board our managed vessels, we
have positive feedback from our crew about the simplicity of the
installation and the very user-friendly system,” says Raffaele Pollio,
Vice President Engine Operations at MSC Cruise Management Limited. “In
addition, the USCG certification is what we really need, considering our
vessels’ trading areas.”
Regent Seven Seas Cruises also modified orders for two newbuilds.
The company will now install PureBallast 3 Compact Flex systems for 500
m3/h each, delivered as loose components. “USCG type approval is an
important part of the technical specification,” says Paolo Mele, SVP
Technical Operations at Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “We have positive
experience with Alfa Laval from retrofits in previous years, and Alfa
Laval’s offer was competitive for the shipyard.”
Numerous reasons for turning to Alfa Laval
According to Anders Lindmark, USCG type approval is one of many
reasons why customers are moving to PureBallast 3 from other UV
treatment solutions. “If a system lacks USCG type approval, it limits
the vessel’s freedom of movement,” he says. “But the same is true if it
has poor filter performance, which can handicap the vessel in muddier
waters. Many ship owners have experienced clogging with other systems,
so they see an advantage in PureBallast 3, which has a high-end filter
with enhanced cleaning capabilities.”
Switching to PureBallast 3 from other UV systems is generally easy,
he adds, because its optimized design simplifies integration and
installation. “The flexibility of PureBallast 3 minimizes the need for
vessel modifications, and even maintenance space is well accounted for,”
he explains. “That ensures both installation ease and later
accessibility.”
Even more important for many customers is the access to service
resources, which Alfa Laval provides through its own network – rather
than through agents. “When customers choose PureBallast 3, they can rely
on a complete global service organization, staffed by trained Alfa
Laval service personnel,” says Lindmark. “They don’t have to turn to
third parties, who may lack the insight, experience or reach to secure
compliance. As the importance of long-term partnership grows more
evident, that in itself can be a reason for switching to Alfa Laval.”